Metal pallet assembly
A metal pallet comprising: a load receiving top deck comprising a plurality of elongate and profiled top deck members extending across an overall length of the pallet between first and second ends of the pallet, a bottom deck adapted to be supported on a supporting surface or supporting and lifting equipment, the bottom deck comprising a plurality of elongate and profiled bottom deck members; a plurality of substantially parallel and spaced apart elongate stringer members positioned transversely and in between the top deck and the bottom deck.
1 . A metal pallet comprising:
a load receiving top deck comprising a plurality of elongate top deck members extending across an overall length of the pallet between first and second ends of the pallet,
a bottom deck adapted to be supported on a supporting surface or supporting equipment, the bottom deck comprising a plurality of elongate bottom deck members; and
a plurality of substantially parallel and spaced apart elongate stringer members positioned transversely and in between the top deck and the bottom deck,
wherein the top deck comprises edge deck members each comprising at least one downwardly depending C-shaped channel extending along a lateral side of each edge deck member,
wherein the pallet further comprises at least one edge reinforcement member, said edge reinforcement member being configured for being positioned within said C-shaped channel of the edge deck member for effecting engagement with an underside portion of the edge deck member and the respective end portions of the stringer members.
2 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 1 wherein the edge deck members are located at the first and second ends of the pallet to define a width of the pallet with one or more additional top deck members between the edge top deck members, the edge top deck members being positioned above respective end portions of the stringer members.
3 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 1 wherein the edge deck member comprises a roll formed metal panel having a panel length extending between two panel ends and a panel width extending between two lateral sides of the metal panel.
4 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 1 wherein the C-shaped channel further comprises an upwardly bent end section extending along the length of the C-shaped channel.
5 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 1 wherein the edge reinforcement member comprises:
a first elongate portion that engages with an underside portion of a top surface of the edge deck member; and
a second dependent elongate portion extending downwardly from the first elongate portion for engagement with an inner surface of the C-shaped channel.
6 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 5 wherein the second dependent elongate portion further comprises engagement tabs for engagement with end walls of the stringer members.
7 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 1 wherein the end portions of the stringer members comprises upwardly projecting guiding members configured for being received into guiding apertures provided in walls defining the C-shaped channel of the edge deck member.
8 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 1 wherein additional deck members comprises a roll formed metal panel having a panel length extending between two panel ends and a panel width extending between two lateral sides of the metal panel with at least one downwardly depending C-shaped channel extending along the opposed lateral sides of the top deck member.
9 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 8 wherein intermediate portions of the stringer members comprise engagement portions for receiving and engaging the opposed C-shaped channels of the additional deck members.
10 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 1 further comprising one or more stringer reinforcing members extending along and reinforcing one or more corresponding stringer members.
11 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 10 wherein the stringer reinforcing member comprises a top section spaced away from a bottom section, the top and bottom sections having respective first and second ends with the top and bottom sections extending along the length of the stringer member when attached to an intermediate portion of the stringer member located between the end portions of the stringer member.
12 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 11 wherein the top and bottom sections are joined by one or more joining sections extending between the top and bottom sections.
13 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 11 wherein the top section comprises an arched configuration extending between the two ends of the stringer reinforcing member.
14 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 11 wherein the bottom section also comprises an arched section extending between two feet portions of the stringer reinforcing member.
15 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 10 wherein at least one of said stringer members extend under an inner region of the top deck that is located away from a peripheral region of the top deck, to support a load positioned on a central region of the top deck wherein the stringer reinforcing member is fastened to the one of said stringer members extending under the inner region.
16 . The metal pallet in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the top deck members and/or the bottom deck members are profiled.